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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Breast leakage
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Breast leakage
by Aprilb, Aug 05, 2001 12:00AM
I'm 22, a smoker for 5 yrs. in O.K. health. I've noticed while doing routine breast exams on myself a clear and sticky discharge comes out of my nipple when squeezed. Only the right breast/nipple. I have no pain or other symptoms that I'm aware of. My left breast doen't leak. I did have a benign cyst during puberty in the same breast that leaked brownish fluid when squeezed, but that went away and I haven't had any leakage until now almost 10 yrs. later. I've asked my doctor and he said not to worry unless I have any other symptoms as well...like pain or lumps, etc. But I've noticed the amount of liquid has increased and I only have to put light pressure on my nipple and the liquid shoots out. Should I be concerned? What is egg white sticky liquid a sign of? Could it be cancer? It's been going on for about 4 months now.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Aug 06, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Aprilb, Nipple discharge is most often from benign (non-cancerous) conditions. Some women are more prone to more discharge including women on; birth control pills, certain blood pressure medications or on major tranquilizers. These medications increase prolactin levels in the body. There is also certain life periods when a person is more likely to get discharge than others: there may be more discharge at puberty and at menopause than the years in-between.
The time to worry about nipple discharge is when it’s spontaneous (comes out by itself without squeezing), keeps on happening, is only on one side, and/or if it is clear and sticky, like an egg white, or bloody. The usual recommendation is that if any of these symptoms are present you may want to be checked by your doctor. No one can say with absolute certainty given the information you describe that there is no need to be concerned, however breast cancer at your age is unusual. Your next step if this continues would be to have a sample of the fluid tested, you could discuss this with your doctor or perhaps seek an opinion of someone who specializes in breast care.
The time to worry about nipple discharge is when it’s spontaneous (comes out by itself without squeezing), keeps on happening, is only on one side, and/or if it is clear and sticky, like an egg white, or bloody. The usual recommendation is that if any of these symptoms are present you may want to be checked by your doctor. No one can say with absolute certainty given the information you describe that there is no need to be concerned, however breast cancer at your age is unusual. Your next step if this continues would be to have a sample of the fluid tested, you could discuss this with your doctor or perhaps seek an opinion of someone who specializes in breast care.
Member Comments (1)
by golde, Mar 21, 2008 01:34PM
A related discussion, breast leakage was started.
by grownwoman, Sep 20, 2008 01:50PM
A related discussion, Breast Leakage was started.
